Inclined-track construction.



M. F. BRAMLEY.

INCLINED TRACK CONSTRUCTION.

APPLICATION FILED IuIYze. 1913.

. Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

cfl 07656 Egli. i l EZ/Hzzzar: .Zw/17555515.' M ZdZZZf MATTHEW F. BRAMLEY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.l

INCLINED-TRACK CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.V

Patented Aug. 10, 1915.

Application filed July 26, 1913.. Serial No. 781,331.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MATTHEW F. BRAM-v ed for a looped inclosure having a racing track laid out thereon.

The object is the provision of a structure of the character implied which will safely as well as effectively preclude objects in tended to travel rapidly about the inclosure encompassed thereby from being projected beyond the confines thereof.

The inventive conception involves thev provision with an inclined track of a continuous fence of a fiexible character yieldingly supported at the upper edge ofthe track so that should aracing vehicle rise along the track and 'actually engage the fence, the whole of the latter will yield and thereby take up the momentum of the vehicle. In consequence any serious shock is minimized, damage precluded and safety to both rider and spectators assured.

The inventive conception is embodied in meansv which are hereinafter explained and variously combined in the claims, while the annexed drawing and particular description thereof together set forth in detail one certain means constituting my invention, the disclosed means however, being but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of my invention may be applied. j

Referring next to the drawing: Figure I is a plan of a portion of a saucer-shaped trackembodying my invention. Fig. II is a vertical section disclosing the conjunctive application of m improvement. Fig. III is an elevation o a given extent of the invention'.

The exempliication depicted in the drawing is the adaptation of my invention to the upper or outer rim of a saucer-shaped track A, such as in vogue for the staging of motorcycle races. The edge of the sloping por- ;'tion of the track A is held in position by a plurality of upright studs 0; extending around the outer side of the same. Positioned just above the points of intersection of the track A with the inner edges of the studs a are a corresponding number of wedge-shaped blocks a2 which may be secured to the studs in any suitable manner not indicated. Extending between these blocks and hence around the track is a baseboard construction a3, which is inclined inwardly at an obtuse angle with respect to the track A as clearly seen in Fig. II. Supported rearwardly around the track nearly on a level with the lower edge of the baseboard a3, is an annular platform adapted to support tiers of seats a6 for the accommodation of the spectators.

A plurality of short pipe lengths B having their upper extremities provided with caps are affixed to the rear surface of the upper ends of the studs a through the medium of a double set of bolts 1.2. These pipe lengths project a given distance upwardly beyond the upper extremities of the studs a and are provided just under their caps respectively with eye bolts b3 which have their nuts outwardly disposed. Suspended from each of the eye-bolts b3 is a short length of chain b4 to the free ends of each of which a screw-threaded member b5 is connected. The extremities of these members are formed as upwardly curvedhooks be. The screwthreaded portions of the members b5 each carry a pair of oppositely disposed 'nuts both designated as 57. Lying in the hooked extremities of the members b5, so as to extend around the track, is a cable C and this A cable is preferably provided at regular intervals with turnbuckles c whereby the extent of the cable may be shortened and the several chain lengths b4 drawn as taut as may ybe desired. j

Clamped along its upper edge between the nuts 67 is a wire fence of any approved type of woven-wire construction. The weave should be close enough to afford the requisite strength and at the same time the de- Sired yieldness. j Along. its lower edge portion this wire frame is clamped against base-boards a3 through the agency of a fiat rigid facing d which likewise abuts the surface of the track.

To be lamented is the fact that the inexperieiiced riders persist in venturing too high on the inclined portion of the track A,

with a disastrous and frequently fatal re some provision for safety supplied which will not impair unto annoyance the view of the track. My inventive conception satisfactorily fulfils this Want, by positively precluding a hurtling of either the rider or machine beyond the outer limits of the track.

My invention being thus described with sufficient thoroughness, what I desire to Secure by Letters Patent and therefore claim specifically, is: v

1. An inclined track construction comprising in combination an inclined curved track, a plurality of uprights continuing along the entire extent and projecting above the upper edge of said track, a fence connecting said uprights anddisposed at an angle inwardly thereto, means for supporting the fence relative tothe uprights, and a sti facing for the lower portion of said fence, said means being yielding for the useful purpose specified. A

Q. An inclined track construction compris' ing in combination, a plurality of posts, a flexible fence secured below to said posts and projecting at an angle therefrom, an inclined track below such fence, suspension means yieldingly connecting the upper edge of said fence with said posts, and a. stiff facing for the lower portion of said fence.

3. An inclined track construction compris' track, a plurality of posts arranged therearound, a corresponding number of chains secured to said posts respectively, a cable connecting said chains, means for adjusting said cable to tauten said chains, and a flexible fence extending downwardly from said cable and secured to said posts.

5. An inclined track construction comprising the combination of a saucer-track; a l

.flexible fence extending around and leaning inwardly from the upper edge of said track, a stlifening member secured to said fence adjacent the track, and means yieldingly supporting the upper edge of said fence.

6. An inclined track construction comprising in combination with a saucer-track; of a plurality of supports disposed around and extending above said track, a flexible fence yieldingly connected with said supports and sloping toward said track, and facings on opposite sides of the lowest portion of said fence and abutting said track, said facings being secured to said supports.

7. The combination with a speed track having banked portions, of a safety guard therefor comprising a yielding net-work adapted to be applied to the upper portion of said track, a support above the upper portion of said track, and means flexibly connecting the upper portion of said guard with said support.

8. An inclined track construction comprising in combina-tion an inclined arcuate track, a flexible fence having its lower edge secured alongv and leaning over the upper edge of said track, and means for yieldingly supporting the upper edge of said fence in an elevated position, a lower portion of such fence being rigid, the upper part of such fence being yielding.

9. 'An inclined track construction comprising in combination an inclined curved track, studs projecting above the upper edge thereof, a flexible fence attached near the upper edge of said track and leaning over the entire surface thereof, and means yieldingly connecting said fence with said studs.

l0. An inclined track construction com.- prising in combination an inclined circular track, a fence of Hexible character having its lower edge conforming to the upper edge of said track and secured thereto, such fence leaning over said track, and means yieldingly supporting the upper edge of said fence outwardly with respect to said track.

ll. A safety guard for banked speed tracks or racing saucers comprising an elongated flexible net-work adapted to be applied to the outer margin of said inclined track or -saucer and having its upper edge contracted or of less diameter than its lower edge, and means for yieldingly supporting the upper edge of said net-work.

Signed by me, this 19th day of July, 1913.

MATTHEW F. BRAMLEY.

Attested by- CHAs. X. ZIMERMAN, B. R. FREEsoN. 

